Attachment for license plates



May 5,1931. J. R. JONES 1,804,013.

ATTACHMENT FOR LICENSE PLATES Filed Au 25, 1930 Patented May 5, 1931 ITE AT P JACOB R. JONES, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA- ATTAGHIl/IENT FOR LICENSE PLATES 7 Application filed August 23, 1930. Serial 1%.}773244.

This invention relates to attachments for license or similar plates and the prime feature of the invention is the provision of an attachment for the ordinary license plate 5 whereby the one original plate may be used from year to year with means on the attachment for changing and designating the year date on the plate.

A further feature of the invention is the n provision of means for removably connecting the attachment to the license plate.

A further feature of the invention is in so constructing the attachment that a coat of paint or other coloring medium may be applied thereto and be plainly visible so that at a casual glance it may be noted whether the attachment is of the proper vintage.

A further feature of the invention is in so constructing the attachment that it may be produced at a very nominal cost and render the same universal for fitting the license plates required by each State.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more fully set forth and pointed out in the accompanying specification.

In the accompanying drawings which is made a part of this application,

Figure 1 is an elevation of a vehicle license plate with the attachment thereon.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the attachment removed from the license plate.

Figure 3 is a sectional view as seen along line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is aplan view of one end portion of a license plate with the attachment removed.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designated a plate, such as is commonly used as a license plate for vehicles, said plate having numbers 2 formed thereon together with numerals 3 designating the year in which the plate is being used, together with such other matter as may be desired, the numerals and other data being preferably embossed on the surface of the plate, although any other suitable means may be employed for producing them.

It has been the custom heretofore for the State to make new plates each year, thus entailing a great expense, as each set of plates necessitated a different set of dies for making them and consequently, the present invention is designed to overcome this excessive cost.

To this end therefor, an attachment in the nature of a frame 4-;, which is designed to fit over theouter face of the plate 1 and be secured thereto in any suitable manner, asby means of bolts 5 or the like, so that said frame may be attached to or removed from the plate at will, the Width of the bars of the frame 4 being such that when a coat of paint or the like is applied thereto, it will be distinguishable at a distance fro'm'the vehicle to which the plate is attached, consequently, by changing the color scheme for the frame each year, a glance at the plate will suflice' to determine whether the frame is of the present year or an old one.

In addition to providing the frame and of a different color from that used the previous year, an extension 6 is formed on the frame 4, at a point to cover the last numeral 3, in the row of figures denoting the year date, said extension having a numeral 7 thereon, to indicate the correct year date, that is to say, supposing the complete year date on the plate 1 is of the previous year, or as shown, 1931 abbreviated, and the actual year date is 1932, a numeral 2 is to be shown and incorporated with the extension 6, so that the proper year date will read 32.

By providing the frame a with the year designating numeral 7 thereon, the same license plate may be used from year to year and it will be understood that two or more year indicating numerals may be placed on the extension 6, as occasion may require, the frame bars being preferably channel shaped in cross section so that the frame will readily lit over any projections or numerals on the plate 1 that may lie in the path of the frame.

With this form of device, the expensive operation of-con'structing license plates each year will be obviated and as all the frames are produced by the same set of dies, the cost of production will be reduced to a minimum, as will also the cost of material, as the frames may be constructed of alighter gage material ISO if desired than that used in the initial manufacture of the license plates.

It will likewise be seen that the frame can be quickly attached to or removed from the plate and when once attached, becomes a component part of the plate, the only distinguishing feature being the difference in color between the plate and the frame While the description and drawings illustrate in a general way certain instrumentalities which may be employed in carrying the invention into effect, it is evident that many modifications may be made in the various details without departing from the scope of the appended claims, it being understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular examples herein described.

lVhat I claim is:

1. The combination with a license plate having numerals thereon, of a hollow frame adapted to be attached to said plate, and an extension at one inner corner of said frame having one or. more numerals thereon adapted to cover numerals on said plate.

2. The combination with a license plate having numerals thereon, of a frame, and an extension on said frame having one or more numerals thereon adapted to cover numerals on said plate.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand on this the 9th day of August, 1980.

JACOB R. JONES. 

